Free He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) by Karen Frances

Alex. I know he’s desperate to find out what’s going on; Kieran and gossip go hand in hand. Alex glances at Kieran and shrugs.
    “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow?” Alex leans forward, and I know he is about to kiss me, but I lean away ever so slightly and reach my hand out to shake his hand, which isn’t going down well.
    “Yes, I’ll see you then,” I say sharply.
    With that, Alex turns and walks away. I let out a sigh of relief. Kieran comes rushing towards me, grinning. I know he’s going to grill me about Alex.
    “Right. You and me…I think we should go have some dinner in the canteen. It will be quiet, and Ihave questions that I want answered—and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
    “Okay, okay. You know, Kieran, you and Kirsty are so alike.” I laugh.
    We make our way to the staff area and head to the canteen, which is empty except for a junior chef who is sorting out food in the hot plate. Most of the staff would have already had breaks before the evening service in the restaurant. Kieran walks along the hot plate looking at the food.
    “Tonight’s choices are as follows: chicken curry, haddock and chips, or a mushroom stroganoff. So, what’ll it be, Libby?” Kieran asks.
    “Kieran, I’m not really that hungry.”
    “Oh, Libby. You need to eat to keep your strength up. I think you’re going to need it.” He laughs teasing me. “What if I go and ask Karl if he’ll rustle you up something else? I am sure he will if it’s for you.” Kieran turns and heads towards the kitchen.
    “Hold it. Stop right where you are,” I say. I turn towards the junior chef at the counter. “Kieran, Karl is a busy man. And anyway, all I want is a sandwich, which I am sure—what’s your name?” I ask the chef.
    “Thomas, Miss Stewart.”
    “Which I’m sure Thomas is more than capable of putting together.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Any kind in particular you would like?”
    “Anything at all. A round of sandwiches for two would be great. Is that okay with you?” I ask Kieran, who just nods and heads towards the coffee machine.
    “Kieran, can you get me a tea? I don’t want coffee.”
    I sit down, waiting for Kieran to join me, knowing that he wants me to give him the details of my afternoon. He can read me just as well as Kirsty can. It’s no wonder that we are all friends, although sometimes it would be good if they couldn’t read me so well. Maybe one day I will get to keep a secret.
    “Right, Libby, now spill it. What happened with you and the American after you came back from your loooooooong walk?” Kieran asks. He takes a seat opposite me.
    “He called me a soft touch because I let Sal go home early.”
    “He obviously has a lot to learn about you,” Kieran says with a half-hearted laugh. “I mean, where the staff are concerned, you are always firm but fair. And I would have done the same thing. Poor Sally—she’s had a rotten day from start to finish. Between your American and her rat arse of a boyfriend.”
    “What’s the boyfriend done now?”
    “He’s only gone and dumped her by text this afternoon.”
    “If I had known about that, she could’ve gone home much earlier. That’s such a shame.” What aday she’s had! I now feel really bad for her. She had seemed really happy with the boyfriend too and thought he was the one.
    “I did offer, honey, but she refused to go home and feel sorry for herself. She’s such a great girl, with a big heart.”
    We stop talking when we see Thomas coming from the kitchen with our sandwiches.
    “These look great, Thomas! Thanks so much for making them,” I say to the young boy. He must only be about seventeen.
    “You’re very welcome, Miss Stewart. I hope you both enjoy,” he says, heading back to the kitchen.
    Kieran and I chat briefly about things that have happened in the hotel over the course of the day as we eat our sandwiches and drink tea and coffee. I can tell by the expression on Kieran’s face that he is dying to know how it went